Sultan Bayezid II Külliyesi: One of the Earliest Medical Schools—Founded in 1488

Abstract

During the 8th to 13th centuries, Islamic medicine went through a golden age which influenced medical education and practice in the Ottomans, who conserved fundamental features of Islamic civilization. A külliye is an Ottoman architectural concept that designates a complex with a central mosque and a series of ancillary buildings surrounding it. Sultan Bayezid II Külliyesi of Edirne, Turkey is an early characteristic example with its sections, and in particular, with the medical school and hospital. The other constructed units were built to complete the hospital service in social, cultural, religious and financial aspects. This foundation (vakif, waqf in Arabic) of health was a trust with deeds that contain notable information regarding hospital management, and the duties, responsibilities, qualities, and proficiency standards requisite for physicians. The Külliye, established in the 15th century, provided substantial contributions to medical and scientific history, and patient care. Together with the history of the Külliye, I will focus on the medical books of the period, in particular works of Serefeddin Sabuncuoğlu who used the Turkish language instead of Arabic and color illustrations and his two books which were the main medical books of the period combining knowledge of Greek, Roman, Arabic, and Turkish acquirements.